Symphony EYC Introduces G.O.L.D. Drive - Pick Up and Go Shopping

PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Aldata, now part of Symphony EYC, and a global leader in retail and distribution improvement software, today announced the availability of G.O.L.D. Drive, a new offering that facilitates order fulfilment for shoppers who order groceries online and collect them directly from drive-through depots without entering a store. G.O.L.D. Drive has been successfully implemented by several major French retailers for their grocery customers.

Part of the Symphony EYC Omni-Shopper Suite, G.O.L.D. Drive extends the retailer's omni-channel service options to shoppers who prefer scheduled pickup rather than store visit or home delivery. G.O.L.D. Drive lets retailers combine a larger food and non-food offer in a local store, capture spend from an increasingly omni-channel shopper, and optimize existing store and supply chain portfolios without significant investments or expansion.

Convenient for shoppers, the drive option lets them designate their own collection time and pick up point, so they are no longer constrained by supermarket home delivery schedules. Mobile ordering facilitates shopping literally "on the go," and real time availability of products on the retailer website ensures shoppers will never be disappointed with substituted items. Some retailers are going one step further and letting shoppers check their fresh produce at the pick-up point, de-risking the purchase and eliminating a potential barrier to online sales.  Overall, shoppers benefit from:

• Dependable fulfilment on the item and order level, 
• Specific promotions targeted to the individual shopper,
• Consistent pricing that matches in-store,
• Flexible pickup time that lets them order and pick up at their convenience, 
• Real-time exchanges at pick-up,
• No home delivery, which eliminates waiting at home.

In France, where the drive concept is quickly being adopted, there were 1817 drive facilities at the end of 2012.  According to market research group Kantar Worldpanel, 2.3 million French households visited a drive during 2012 and that number will rise to 4.5 million by the end of 2015, equivalent to 6.1% of the total shopping market. Overall, Kantar forecasts that rapid drive adoption will result in 4.5 million fewer shoppers in French stores in 2015.

French independent retailer Systeme U is forecasting that the turnover of its drive format will double in 2013 and again in 2014. The format, which will turn over $321 million (€250 million) in 2012, excluding Telemarket, is expected to generate $643 million (€500 million) in 2013 and $1.3 billon (€1 billion) in 2014. Systeme U shoppers have the option of collecting goods ordered online at some 500 stores. This number is expected to increase to 1,000 within the next two years. Reportedly, more than 50% of sales volume with the drive format is generated by the retailer's private label products.

Combining G.O.L.D. Warehouse Management and G.O.L.D. Warehouse Voice Operations, G.O.L.D. Drive expedites preparation of online orders for pick up either at a dedicated warehouse or in a pick-up facility co-located with a store.  In France, a major hypermarket has implemented G.O.L.D. Drive to provide a full service with fast turnaround.  Orders can be placed up to two hours prior to pick up and shoppers have their products within five minutes of their scheduled arrival at the depot.

Click and collect concepts and drive-in formats are expanding rapidly as retailers seek to capture spend from omni-channel shoppers. "G.O.L.D. Drive, part of Symphony EYC's Omni-Shopper Suite, is made possible by real-time supply chain software that provides committed availability of items at time of order," said Donal Mac Daid, Vice-President for G.O.L.D. Supply Chain at Symphony EYC. "This guarantees availability with no substitutions and no frustration."

Designed to keep Symphony EYC customers at the forefront of the omni-shopper revolution, the Symphony EYC Omni-Shopper Suite captures and consolidates shopper interaction data across all channels and uses it to drive more effective marketing, engagement, merchandising, supply, and fulfillment. Symphony EYC's expertise in omni-channel solutions spans order management, order picking in distribution centers, fulfillment centers or stores, and managing the replenishment cycle of products. This capability is vital in order to provide excellent customer service, however consumers choose to shop. The solutions also allow retailers to adapt to their customers' changing needs, expand their offers and efficiently optimize their existing store assets.

• Learn more about the Symphony EYC Omni-Shopper Suite at: http://www.symphonyeyc-omni.com
• Stop by Symphony EYC booth # 2237 at the NRF Big Show.

About Aldata & Symphony EYC

Aldata is now part of Symphony EYC, a global provider of retailing and distribution optimization solutions that help retailers, distributors and manufacturers address the challenges of rapid changes in shopper behavior and expectations. Symphony EYC solutions build shopper trust, retention, and development through accurate, relevant, and on time analytics, marketing, merchandising, store operations, and supply fulfillment. Founded originally in 1988, the company has an unparalleled track record of delivering successful projects for the world's largest retail and consumer brands, national wholesale and distribution organizations, and regional store chains.  More at: www.symphonyeyc-omni.com.

Media Contact
Joan Geoghegan
[email protected]
978-371-3921

SOURCE Aldata